Norfolk VA's Sail250 America & Tall Ships

Duration: 4 Days | Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners

 

Trip Highlights:

 

The Parade of Sail

Witness the Parade of Sail as more than 55 tall ships from 20 nations—along with over 4,000 officers, cadets, and crew—grace Virginia’s waterfront in a grand maritime display. From your reserved bleacher seat, enjoy views of the harbor filled with majestic tall ships and over 200 boats and vessels. It’s an unforgettable celebration of international naval tradition and nautical pageantry!

 

Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center

Step into the rich history of Fort Monroe at the Casemate Museum and Visitor & Education Center. Explore exhibits tracing the site’s military legacy from the 1609 construction of Fort Algernourne to its role as the headquarters of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Discover the cell where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War, and learn about the pivotal 1861 “Contraband of War” decision that offered sanctuary to escaping enslaved people—earning Fort Monroe the powerful nickname, “Freedom’s Fortress.” 

 

Virginia Air & Space Museum with IMAX

Discover the wonders of flight and space at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center. Located in Hampton, VA, birthplace of America’s space program, this dynamic museum features over 30 historic aircraft, hands-on exhibits spanning a century of aviation, and immersive galleries on space exploration. Highlights include the Apollo 12 Command Module, the Orion PA-1 Test Vehicle, and interactive simulators. IMAX movie: TBD

 

Hampton Carousel

Step back in time with a ride on the beautifully restored Hampton Carousel, one of America’s rare surviving antique wooden carousels. Located along Hampton’s scenic waterfront, this 1920 masterpiece features hand-carved horses, vintage artwork, and the nostalgic charm of a bygone era. Originally built for Buckroe Beach Amusement Park, the carousel continues to delight visitors of all ages with its timeless music, colorful craftsmanship, and rich local history. A visit to the Hampton Carousel is the perfect blend of nostalgia, family fun, and coastal charm.

 

50th Annual Norfolk Harborfest

Celebrate the spirit of summer at Norfolk’s Annual Harborfest at Town Point Park! This waterfront festival features an exciting lineup of national and regional live music, a delicious array of artisan foods and beverages, and a variety of engaging art displays and educational exhibits. With scenic harbor views, family-friendly entertainment, and maritime-themed fun, Harborfest is one of the East Coast’s largest and longest-running waterfront festivals.

 

Nauticus & The Battleship Wisconsin

Visit Nauticus, an exciting science and technology center dedicated to exploring the power and mystery of the sea. This cutting-edge, interactive museum features virtual reality experiences that bring to life the ocean realm, showcase humanity’s relationship with the sea through shipping and naval history, and highlight the importance of the Hampton Roads port in global maritime affairs. A highlight of your visit is the USS Wisconsin, one of the largest and most powerful battleships ever built. This iconic Iowa-class battleship played a pivotal role in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War, and now serves as a fascinating floating museum. Step aboard to explore its massive decks, see its impressive weaponry, and gain a firsthand understanding of life aboard a legendary naval vessel.

 

 

Tall Ships Tour

Get an up-close look at the majestic Tall Ships you saw during the Parade of Sail! Step aboard these magnificent vessels, explore their historic decks, and chat with the crews who bring maritime tradition to life. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and seafaring spirit of these iconic ships firsthand.

 

Douglas MacArthur Memorial

The Douglas MacArthur Memorial serves as the final resting place for General Douglas MacArthur and his wife. The memorial houses an extensive collection of military and personal artifacts, offering visitors a comprehensive look into the life of General MacArthur and the millions of American men and women who served during the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Occupation of Japan, and the Korean War. Treasures on view include 19th and 20th-century medals, flags, paintings, weapons, and equipment. Additionally, a 25-minute film on MacArthur's life is shown in the theater.

 

Naval Base Boat Cruise

Enjoy a 2-hour narrated cruise. Cruise the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor, watching for aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, guided missile cruisers, and other vessels that form the world’s most powerful armada. On board the Victory Rover, you’ll find comfortable seating, clean restrooms, an air-conditioned enclosed deck, an open-air upper deck, a snack bar, and a souvenir shop.

 

Fireworks Show

While at Harborfest, enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast. Plus, experience a mesmerizing drone light show that adds a modern twist to this unforgettable celebration.

 

Meal Information:

 

Dinner on day one is included at Grand Affairs Venue at Virginia Beach

Dinner features a beef merlot: roasted top round slow simmered in Merlot wine & seasoned in a house herb blend. Dinner is served with roasted rosemary potatoes, sauteed green beans with honey glazed stem on carrots, homemade rolls with butter, salad, and apple pie with for dessert.  Water, coffee, and hot tea is included. There will be a cash bar for individual alcohol and soda purchases. 

 

Dinner on day three is included aboard the Spirit of Norfolk Cruise

Dinner is served buffet-style and features honey sesame chicken (gluten free), oven roasted flounder (gluten free), baked ziti (vegetarian), root vegetable fricassee (gluten free & vegan), roasted broccoli, and mashed potatoes,. Dinner is served with salad, bread & butter, and an array of desserts. Water, iced tea, coffee, and hot tea are included. Alcohol and soda is available for individual purchase. 

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

Need to Know:

• Starr has reserved bleacher seating for the Parade of Sail.

• Please note that this is a citywide event and the downtown area will be very crowded. Expect a moderate amount of walking.

• There is a cash bar for individual alcohol and soda purchases at dinner on day one. There is an ATM onsite.

• Every Starr trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• A Starr Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

• Baggage handling at hotels is included.

 

Accessibility:

• At the Tall Ships, there are no elevators or ramps available to access or board the boats.

• Nauticus: Wheelchair accessible throughout the building. There is an elevator to access the second and third floor.

• Battleship Wisconsin: Wheelchair accessibility on board the main deck of the Battleship Wisconsin only. Located right off the wardroom on the Battleship Wisconsin, the Ship Experience Access Room (SEAR) was developed for visitors that want to experience the Battleship, but are unable to physically take the tour. Built in the former Administrative Office of the Wisconsin, the SEAR creates a virtual tour of the ship through the use of video surveillance equipment. The room has been designed to mimic a control center and is equipped with four, high-resolution monitors with individual access to video surveillance management software. Visitors are able to sit at a station and create their own tour of the Wisconsin as they navigate the software. 

• Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Holiday Inn Express Norfolk Airport (Norfolk, VA)

Guest rooms include coffee maker, mini-fridge, microwave, hair dryer, and iron/board. The hotel features an indoor pool and fitness room.